Examples of Activities in FY2016

Visiting Lectures on Food and Agriculture

Children take a visiting lecture

Japan faces the constant issues of the depopulation of farming villages, an aging population of farmers, and a lack of young people to act as successors to agriculture businesses. During the 5-year period from 2010 to 2015, the number of farmers who protect food in Japan has decreased by 20%(*1). In response to these issues, Fujitsu seeks to contribute to the invigoration of Japanese agriculture and future of a rich food culture through the power of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

For example, as part of the next-generation educational support for elementary school and junior high school students who will be future leaders, Fujitsu holds tours and visiting lectures for fostering understanding of activities at the Aizu-Wakamatsu Akisai Plant Factory. Activities at the plant utilize the Akisai Food and Agriculture Cloud, a kind of technology that was created by fusing ICT and agriculture. The visiting lectures allow students to learn about how Fujitsu is developing a variety of high added value vegetables and creating vegetables which can be cultivated in any location and environment. Students also learn about the special measures and efforts of people involved in food production, and how ICT supports the enjoyment of food culture and the future of agriculture. We have received a variety of positive comments from students who attended the lectures, including "I'm now more interested in agriculture," "I want to work in this kind of agriculture," and "I want to grow these kinds of vegetables." Fujitsu will continue this next-generation educational support to instill children with these kinds of dreams.

(*1) Data Source: 2015 Census of Agriculture and Forestry in Japan Report and Data on the Result (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries)

The actual employment rate at private corporations for people with disabilities in Japan is currently 1.92%(*2), below the legal employment quota. Amidst these conditions, Fujitsu Software Technologies Limited has cooperated with the Shizuoka Association of Deaf (Public Interest Incorporated Association) to hold the Deaf-PC Cafe for people with hearing difficulties since 2006.

In response to how computers skills have become increasingly important for employment in recent years, the Deaf-PC Cafe is held to help resolve ICT issues faced by people with hearing difficulties. Operated under the motto of "Enjoy Learning," participants are free to bring drinks and snacks to these cafe-style lessons. The Cafe also serves as a place for sign-language communication with participation of sign-language staff from sign-language clubs. We will continue to hold the Deaf-PC Cafe in order to contribute by eliminating the digital divide faced by people with hearing difficulties.

(*2) Data Source: Report on the "Status of Employment of Persons with Disabilities" in 2016 (Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare)

Enabling Digital Access for Poor Communities

IT hub

Fujitsu South Africa is fully committed to ensuring those in some of the poorest communities in the country still have access to technology that can enrich their lives. The Little Rose Centre is their local corporate charity partner, which provides day care services for vulnerable children in Kliptown, a township in Johannesburg with approximately 35,000 inhabitants.

Due to poverty and poor living condition, the community faces many challenges including high unemployment. Our business in South Africa works with the centre to provide short term support such as fundraising and donation drives, though most significant is the longer term sustainable support given, including installing an IT hub. This IT hub provides the community with access to computers and the internet. Employees also volunteer as IT coaches, teaching members of the community vital online skills. Activity has included running structured training programmes for grade 11 & 12 students, and also employment searches for the older members of the community. Fujitsu South Africa will continue to work with the Little Rose to ensure continued digital access.

Support for Underprivileged Children

Supporting Children

Fujitsu Philippines Global Delivery Centre is committed to reaching out to underserved communities in the country. It has a well-established relationship with the Tuloy Foundation, which provides a home and education for homeless and abandoned children, providing practical training and a skills-based curriculum. Tuloy is 100% reliant on donations – and Fujitsu is proud to be a major donor of both funding and education.

Over 30 Fujitsu employees have been involved with Tuloy Foundation in the past three years, with at least 3 on-site visits each year and numerous other off-site fundraising activities carried out. Employees raise money through charity drives, and donate school supplies, clothes and food. A number of employees have celebrated birthdays at Tuloy, providing an afternoon of fun and cake for the children. Fujitsu also takes on apprentices from Tuloy into technical roles, giving the students much-appreciated work experience.

Developing a Solution to Enhance Digital Learning in Africa

Elumi Pi

Fujitsu Netherlands are dedicated to supporting digital access and working. The country works closely with Viafrica, a charity committed to preparing students for their futures with education-enhancing digital learning in both Kenya and Tanzania.

With Viafrica planning to increase the number of tablets in their educational projects, it became apparent that a significant issue would be both unstable power supply and poor internet connectivity in many locations around Africa. Therefore Fujitsu put this challenge forward to their dedicated IT Specialists/ Architects. A Raspberry Pi mini-server has since been developed which provides the tablets with a Wi-Fi Access Point, Android software distribution, web server and mail facilities. This prototype enabled the delivery of 100 tablets into areas of need. New releases can be implemented by exchanging an SD card. Therefore, the tablets can be both installed and used without internet connection. The name of the solution is 'Elumi Pi' which means 'education' in Swahili.